Panama City Car Accident Lawyers

From navigating the legal system and advocating on your behalf to communicating with insurers, negotiating settlements, and positioning you for the maximum compensation possible, the work of a lawyer far exceeds what most people can effectively do themselves. As such, working with experienced legal representation is one of the wisest decisions you can make after a car accident.

At Perry & Young, our Panama City car accident attorneys know that we provide the insight, resources, and firepower victims need to fight for justice. Here are a few of the benefits of working with attorneys like us:

• Experience & Insight: Our attorneys focus exclusively on handling personal injury cases. This means we’ve worked on countless car accident cases during our years in practice and have amassed incredible insight into the nuances of Florida's laws, the local personal injury claim process, regional insurers, and the strategies that make for successful claims.
• Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Our attorneys have the resources to conduct thorough investigations into your accident. This includes gathering police reports, video footage, witness statements, medical records, expert testimony, and other important information and documentation that supports your claim and the damages you seek.
• Negotiation with Insurance Companies: As corporations driven by profits, insurance carriers commonly try to minimize payouts to accident victims by disputing key aspects about their claims or injuries, denying them outright, and capitalizing on victims’ lack of legal knowledge. When you enlist the support of our firm, we handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf and make it clear that insurance company representatives can’t pull a fast one on us.
• Representation at Trial: If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, you may need to present your claim in court, where the stakes are raised and the need to follow established rules and procedures is paramount. At Perry & Young, we prepare all car accident claims as if they were heading for trial and litigate aggressively in court to secure favorable outcomes from judges and juries.
• Peace of Mind: Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be stressful and overwhelming. Hiring an attorney can provide you with peace of mind knowing that your legal matter is being handled by a professional who has your best interests at heart.

If the at-fault driver in a car accident has no insurance or insufficient coverage to compensate you for your damages, you may still have options for recovery. You can file a claim with your own insurance company under the uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage (if you have this type of optional coverage). Additionally, you may pursue legal action against the at-fault driver personally, although collecting damages in such cases can be challenging. An attorney from our firm can help you explore your options for compensation in this situation.

The duration of a car accident lawsuit in Florida can vary depending on various factors, including the complexity of the case, the extent of injuries, the willingness of the parties to negotiate a settlement, and court scheduling. Some cases may be resolved through settlement negotiations in a matter of months, while others may take several years to litigate in court. Our team can provide a more accurate timeline based on the specifics of your case.

Yes, you can sue the at-fault driver in Florida for damages beyond what is covered by PIP insurance, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and punitive damages in certain cases.

However, you’ll need to determine whether you have grounds to seek compensation outside of the PIP system and will also need to address any claims or contentions that you caused or contributed to the accident that could hinder your ability to recover compensation, either as a portion based on your percentage of fault, or entirely.

Consulting with a Panama City car accident lawyer from our firm can help you understand your legal options and how you can pursue the maximum compensation available.

Fault in a car crash depends on the specific circumstances of the accident. Common factors that may contribute to fault include speeding, reckless driving, distracted driving, failure to yield, running red lights or stop signs, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Each accident is unique, and fault may be assigned to one or multiple parties involved.

Fault in a car accident in Florida may be “determined” at various stages by various parties, such as insurance adjusters, law enforcement officers, and sometimes the court if the case goes to trial.

These determinations are based on evidence such as police reports, witness statements, photographs of the accident scene, and expert opinions, as well as the arguments and claims presented by victims and their attorneys. As such, it’s essential to gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim and establish liability, and to work with attorneys who know how to present your case in a compelling manner.

In Florida, motorists are required to carry two types of mandatory insurance coverage: PIP and PDL.

• PIP, as explained above, provides benefits that cover some (but not all) of the costs associated with lost wages and medical bills after a car accident.
• PDL, or Property Damage Liability, on the other hand, is specifically for property damage only. It covers damages caused by a policyholder in accidents where they are at fault.

If another motorist caused damage to your vehicle, you can recover compensation through their PDL coverage. However, Florida’s no-fault law only requires motorists to carry $10,000 in PDL coverage, which may not be enough to pay for all the damage. If your damages exceed this minimum, you may need to pursue a civil claim to recover all your losses.